How can you integrate team building into a busy work schedule?

1 Start with a clear purpose

Before you plan any team building activity, you need to have a clear purpose and goal for it. What are you trying to achieve with your team? What are the current challenges or gaps that need to be addressed? How will you measure the success of the activity? Having a clear purpose will help you choose the most relevant and effective team building methods for your situation, and also communicate the value and expectations to your team members.

2 Use existing meetings and events

One of the easiest ways to integrate team building into your work schedule is to use the existing meetings and events that you already have. For example, you can start or end a meeting with a quick icebreaker, a check-in, or a feedback session. You can also use regular events, such as lunch breaks, coffee breaks, or happy hours, to create informal opportunities for team bonding and socializing. These small gestures can help you build rapport, trust, and familiarity among your team members, without taking too much time or resources.

3 Try online tools and platforms

Another way to integrate team building into your work schedule is to use online tools and platforms that offer ready-made or customizable team building activities. For example, you can use platforms like Kahoot, Miro, or Slack to create quizzes, polls, games, brainstorming sessions, or recognition boards. You can also use tools like Zoom, Teams, or Skype to host virtual team building sessions, such as trivia, scavenger hunts, or escape rooms. These online tools and platforms can help you create fun and engaging team building experiences, without requiring physical presence or travel.

5 Make it fun and voluntary

Finally, one of the most important tips for integrating team building into your work schedule is to make it fun and voluntary. Team building should not feel like a chore, a burden, or a punishment for your team members, but rather a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Therefore, you should make sure that your team building activities are fun, relevant, and meaningful for your team members, and that they have a choice and a voice in participating. You should also celebrate and acknowledge the achievements and contributions of your team members, and show appreciation and recognition for their efforts.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?